Electromotive furniture drive

ABSTRACT

An electromotive furniture drive includes a drive unit and a power take-off unit which can be moved relative to the drive unit. At least one connecting element is arranged on each of the drive unit and the power take-off unit to respectively connect the drive unit and the power take-off unit to a furniture fitting. Each of the connecting elements provides at least two force application points in spaced apart relation for the connection to the furniture fitting in a direction transverse to the relative movement between the drive unit and the power take-off unit. The force application points are spaced apart from one another at least by a distance which is greater than approximately 50% of a displacement movement of the furniture drive.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of prior filed copendingU.S. patent application, application Ser. No. 14/411,456, filed Dec. 26,2014, the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120 andwhich is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No.PCT/EP2013/063693, filed Jun. 28, 2013, which designated the UnitedStates and has been published as International Publication No. WO2014/001533, and which claims the priority of German patent application,Serial No. 10 2012 105 717.6, filed Jun. 28, 2012.

The contents of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/411,456, InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2013/063693 and German Application No. 10 2012 105717.6 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties as iffully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an electromotive furniture drive, comprising adrive unit and a power take-off unit which can be moved relative to thedrive unit. The invention further relates to a piece of furniture, inparticular seating furniture, comprising such an electromotive furnituredrive.

Electromotive furniture drives, which are referred to below in short asdrives, are installed in reclining and seating furniture in order toenable the convenient adjustment of furniture parts such as seats,backrests, footrests etc relative to a base body of the piece offurniture and relative to each other. Adjustable seating furniture, inparticular so-called television armchairs or relaxation chairs, usuallycomprise a furniture fitting which is mechanically relatively complexand which allows a complex sequence of movements of the differentcushion units mounted thereon in cooperation with a plurality of leversand rod assemblies.

Such a seating furniture fitting, as is described for example in thespecification US 201110198894 A1, frequently comprises a cross memberarranged beneath the seating surface, which cross member performs acombined displacing and rotating movement when the backrest is pivotedto the rear from an upright seating position and a foot rest is foldedupwardly in front of the seating surface. The motorised adjustment ofthis seating furniture occurs by a drive which is fixed in the seatingdirection longitudinally to a base frame of the furniture fitting. Thedrive performs a linear displacing movement on a drive output element(power take-off element), which movement is transferred via swivellevers as a combined displacing/rotating movement to the cross member asdescribed above, which is referred to below as a rotating cross member.It is disadvantageous in this respect that the drive has a relativelylarge configuration which is especially long and which extends over theentire length of the base frame of the furniture fitting. Moreover, along distance travelled by the power take-off element is necessary inrelation to the base element of the drive connected to the base frame.Both aspects lead to a furniture drive which requires a large amount ofmaterial input and is therefore expensive. Moreover, the furniturefitting must be modified for the installation of the furniture drive. Incomparison with a non-motorised version of the furniture fitting whichcan be obtained on the market, the rotating cross member for themotorisable furniture fitting is provided with a reinforcedconfiguration, and mounting possibilities for the base element of thefurniture drive must be provided in the base frame. This leads toadditional costs for the furniture fitting, not least due to thenecessity to produce two different models which need to be kept onstock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anelectromotive furniture drive of the kind mentioned above which can beused in a seating furniture, especially a television armchair orrelaxation chair, and which can be produced with a low amount ofmaterial input and thus at low cost. It is a further object to arrangethe electromotive furniture drive in such a way that a modification ofthe furniture fitting for accommodating the electromotive furnituredrive is not necessary, but that the electromotive furniture drive canrather also be used with the furniture fitting designed for manualactuation.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by anelectromotive furniture drive which includes a drive unit and a powertake-off unit which can be moved relative to the drive unit, wherein atleast one connection element is arranged on the drive unit and on thepower take-off unit in each case, via which the drive unit and the powertake-off unit can respectively be connected to a furniture fitting. Theelectromotive furniture drive is characterized in that the connectionelements provide at least two respective, mutually spaced forceapplication points for the connection with the furniture fitting in adirection transverse to the relative movement between the drive unit andthe power take-off unit, wherein the force application points arerespectively apart from one another at least by a distance which isgreater than approximately 50% of a distance travelled by the furnituredrive.

As a result of the connection elements with the spaced force applicationpoints, the force for the movement of the piece of furniture is notapplied centrally by the electromotive furniture drive to the componentsof the furniture fitting, but it is distributed more broadly onto saidcomponents. The furniture fitting therefore need not be modified for usewith the furniture drive, and in particular it is not necessary toreinforce the components of the furniture fitting on which the furnituredrive acts. The travel of the furniture drive shall be understood withinthe scope of the application as the length of the maximum possibledisplacement movement of the furniture drive.

The connection elements can establish contact with the components of thefurniture fitting either in a punctiform manner or also over a largerarea in a linear manner or over a wide area. A connection element canprovide several force application points in this respect on its part. Itis relevant within the scope of the application that at least two of theforce application points have the indicated distance which is relativelylarge with respect to the travel, which ensures that the total force isnot concentrated centrally in a point but is introduced in a distributedmanner into the component.

In a preferred embodiment of the electromotive furniture drive, it isespecially suitable for a furniture fitting arranged as a fitting forseating furniture, wherein the distance of the force application pointsis respectively greater than 25% and in particular greater than 50% of awidth of the furniture fitting.

In a further preferred embodiment of the electromotive furniture drive,the distance of the force application points is greater than 10 cm andin particular greater than 20 cm.

In a further preferred embodiment of the electromotive furniture drive,the connection between the drive unit or the drive unit and thefurniture fitting is arranged in a frictionally engaged or interlockingmanner, preferably in a releasable manner, and more preferably theconnection is screwless. In contrast to a materially bonded connection,the furniture drive can simply be retrofitted in such a connection.

In a further preferred embodiment of the electromotive furniture drive,the connection elements are arranged for the connection with a crossmember and/or rotating cross member extending transversely in thefurniture fitting between lateral lever mechanisms. During a movement ofthe furniture fitting, such cross members and/or rotating cross membershave a displacement movement with shorter travel relative to each otherthan one of the cross members in relation to a base frame of thefurniture fitting. A furniture drive which only acts on cross members orrotating cross members can thus be arranged with shorter travel and thusin an in particular compact manner. The connection of the furnituredrive with the cross member and/or the rotating cross member ispreferably releasable and even more preferably screwless, e.g. as alatching, sliding or a snap-on connection, by means of which thefurniture drive can be retrofitted easily. The invention thus providesin this embodiment that the respective cross member or the respectiverotating cross member is supported in contact points, of which at leasttwo have the indicated distance which is large relative to the travel.This can be achieved by a respectively long connection element, but alsoby two or more shorter connection elements, of which the outer onesthereof have the aforementioned greater distance. The cross members orthe rotating cross members can thus be used to introduce the force, evenif they are unsuitable as a result of their dimensioning, e.g. theirdiameter, to introduce a force on the centrally without bending ortwisting excessively.

In a further preferred embodiment of the electromotive furniture drive,two mutually spaced swivel levers are provided as connection elements.The swivel levers can be arranged via swivel joints on extension arms ofthe drive unit and can be connected in a torsion-proof manner by meansof braces to a rotating cross member of the furniture fitting. Theextension arms are used to provide the desired distance of the swivellevers. The swivel joints allow a combined translatory and rotarymovement of the swivel joint when the furniture drive is actuated.

In a further preferred embodiment, the electromotive furniture drivecomprises a motor which acts via a worm on a rotatably mounted spindlenut, which thereupon cooperates with a torsion-proof spindle. Thespindle nut is preferably arranged together with at least one bearing ina housing of the power take-off unit, by means of which a compactconfiguration can be realised.

The furniture drive can principally comprise a housing which enclosesthe spindle completely, or it may also comprise an exposed spindle. In afurther preferred embodiment, only one cover is provided which coversthe spindle at least on two sides, preferably from above and below. Sucha cover instead of an enclosing housing is cost-effective, savesmaterial and simplifies assembly. A certain amount of protection isstill provided, e.g. against threads which hang loose from a seat coverand which can get caught in the spindle. In a further embodiment, thecover surrounds the spindle at least from three sides, e.g. from aboveor below and at an end in a U-shaped manner, wherein the cover isintegrally arranged with integrated foil hinges.

A piece of furniture in accordance with the invention comprises at leastone furniture part fixed to a furniture fitting and is provided with anelectromotive furniture drive as described above. The piece of furnitureis preferably arranged as a seating furniture and in particular as arelaxation chair.

According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved bya piece of furniture which includes at least one furniture part fixed toa furniture fitting and is provided with an electromotive furnituredrive as described above. The piece of furniture is preferably arrangedas a seating furniture and in particular as a relaxation chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be explained below in closer detail by reference toeight drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective schematic overview of a furniture fitting fora seating furniture with an installed furniture drive;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a furniture drive in a firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a further perspective view of the furniture drive of thefirst embodiment without cover;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the furniture drive of the first embodimentwith a partly opened drive unit;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a furniture drive in a secondembodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the furniture drive of the second embodimentwith a partly opened drive unit;

FIGS. 7a-7d show various embodiments of connection elements for africtionally engaged or interlocking rotatable connection between afurniture drive and a cross member of a furniture fitting, and

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a frictionally engaged or interlocking andtorsion-proof connection between a connection element of a furnituredrive and a rotating cross member of a furniture fitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a section of a furniturefitting 1 of a relaxation chair.

The furniture fitting 1 comprises a rectangular base frame 2, which isaligned substantially parallel to the ground when using the furniturefitting 1 in the end product and is static relative to the ground duringadjustment of the chair. A respective lever mechanism 3 with a pluralityof levers and rod assemblies is arranged on the sides of the base frame2, of which levers 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d are provided with referencenumerals by way of example. Connection elements 4 a, 4 b, 4 c areconnected to the levers of the two lever mechanisms 3, e.g. by tabs orangles which support the various cushion elements of the chair, e.g. aseating surface, a backrest and a footrest. The connection elements 4 aare used for fixing the seating surface, the connection elements 4 bcarry the backrest and the connection elements 4 c the footrest. Thelever mechanisms 3 enable a complex sequence of movements of thesecushion elements with respect to each other.

Several cross members extend between the lever mechanisms 3 on the oneand on the other side of the base frame 2, of which one cross member 5and one rotating cross member 6 are relevant within the scope of theapplication and are emphasised by respective reference numerals. Saidcross member 5 and the rotating cross member 6, as also further providedcross members, are used for stabilisation of the furniture fitting andthe smooth movement of the levers of both lever mechanisms 3 on bothsides of the furniture fitting 1.

The rotating cross member 6 performs both a displacing and also arotating movement in relation to the base frame during a movementsequence of the chair from an upright sitting position via a positionwith lifted footrest to a reclined position with lowered backrest.

In a first movement phase, the rotating cross member 6 is pivotedwithout any significant displacement, as a result of which the footresttravels out. The rotating movement of the rotating cross member 6 istransmitted by the lever 3 c (see FIG. 1) via a further levers and rodassemblies to the connection elements 4 c and thus to the footrest. Therotating movement of the rotating cross member 6 is then stopped by alimit stop, whereupon substantially only a displacement movement of therotating cross member 6 occurs in a second movement phase. It leads to amovement of the levers 3 a and 3 b relative to each other, and thus to aslight lowering of the rear part of the seating surface on the one handand to a pivoting of the backrest on the other hand.

The cross member 5 also performs a displacement movement in theaforementioned movement sequence, but with a negligible rotatingmovement. Both the cross member 5 and also the rotating cross member 6move in substantially the same direction with respect to the base frame2 during the performance of the aforementioned movement sequence, butthis occurs with different advancing speeds. This leads to theconsequence that the rotating cross member 6 not only performs arelative movement in relation to the base frame 2 but also in relationto the cross member 5.

This is utilised by the invention in that it uses a furniture drive forthe motorised displacement of the furniture fitting 1, which acts on thecross member 5 on the one hand and on the rotating cross member 6 on theother hand without the furniture drive being fixed in a stationarymanner with one of its components to or on the base frame 2. In theillustrated embodiment, the furniture drive comprises a drive unit 10which is connected to the rotating cross member 6 and a power take-offunit 30 (drive output unit) which is connected to the cross member 5. Ashorter travel is thus advantageously produced by the application of thefurniture drive only to the cross member 5 and the rotating cross member6, thus providing a more compact configuration of the furniture drivecompared with a drive extending over the entire length of the base frame2.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the furniture drive of FIG. 1 in perspectiveschematic views in a more detailed manner. An optional cover has beenremoved in FIG. 3 as compared to FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows the furnituredrive (also without the covers) in a side view. FIG. 4 shows the driveunit 10 in a partly opened manner in order to provide insight into itsinner configuration.

As already described above, the furniture drive comprises the drive unit10 and the power take-off unit 30 which are displaceable against eachother along a direction of displacement.

The drive unit 10 comprises a housing 11, on which opposite extensionarms 12 are arranged which protrude laterally, wherein cross-struts 13are provided for reinforcing the extension arms 12. The housing 11 isformed in this case by two half-shells. Each of the half-shells ispreferably integrally arranged with the respective extension arm 12 andthe cross-strut 13, e.g. as a plastic injection-moulded part. A flangefor mounting the motor 20 and a lead-through for a cable 21 are arrangedon one of the half-shells. Apart from this, the two half-shells can bemirror-symmetrical when seen from the outside.

One respective swivel lever 15 is pivotably connected to each of theextension arms 12 at the respective outer end via a swivel joint 14. Theswivel levers 15 are profiled at their respective free ends in such away that a brace 16 can be inserted, which forms a square receptacle forthe rotating cross member 5 of the furniture fitting 1 together with theswivel lever. The swivel lever 15 and the brace 16 thus represent incombination a connection element for connecting the furniture drive tothe furniture fitting 1. The connection is interlocking and it is alsotorsion-proof as a result the square configuration of the rotating crossmember 6 and the receptacle which is also square, and it is suitable totransmit torques. In the illustrated embodiments, the rotating crossmember 6 is shown in form of a continuous profile shaft arranged as asquare shaft. Any kind of profiling of the rotating cross member 6 canprincipally be used, wherein the connection element is adjusted to thisprofiling.

In the direction of the rotating cross member 6, i.e. perpendicularly tothe direction of displacement of the power take-off unit 30 in relationto the drive unit 10, the swivel levers 15 and the braces 16, as theconnection elements to the furniture fitting 1, are spaced from eachother by a distance d_(A). The furniture drive thus acts on the rotatingcross member 6 at two force introduction points A which are spaced fromeach other.

The power take-off unit 30 comprises a cross member 31, in which aspindle receptacle 32 is centrally incorporated. A spindle 33 isinserted into said receptacle in a torsion-proof manner. An end nut 34is also inserted in a torsion-proof manner at the free end of thespindle 33. The spindle receptacle 32 and the end nut 34 are providedwith a switching bevel 35 on the mutually facing sides. A formed partwith a switching bevel 35 can alternatively be provided instead of theend nut 34, wherein the formed part is fixedly inserted on the spindle33.

As is shown in particular in FIG. 4, the spindle 33 extends centrallythrough the housing 11 of the drive unit 10. A spindle nut 22 isrotatably mounted by means of two bearings 23 in the housing 11. Thespindle nut 22 cooperates with the motor 20, e.g. in that the spindlenut 22 is provided with an exterior toothing into which a worm 21engages which is situated on a rotating shaft of the motor 20.

The spindle nut 22 cooperates with the spindle 33 in such a way thatupon actuation of the motor 20 the power take-off unit 30 is displacedrelative to the drive unit 10. The furniture drive is thus arranged as alinear drive. The connection with the cross member 5 and the rotatingcross member 6 ensures that the drive unit 10 and the power take-offunit 30 will not twist with respect to each other.

End switches 24 are arranged in the housing 11 of the drive unit 10,which switches cooperate with the switching bevels 35 of the spindlereceptacle 32 and the end nut 34. It is thus prevented via respectiveswitching of the end switches 34 with the motor 20 that the powertake-off unit 30 will travel against a mechanical stop. The motor 20 canbe provided with a speed-reducing gear in addition to the illustratedworm 21.

The cross-strut 31 has a cross-section with a semicircular recess in itslongitudinal direction, i.e. transversely to the direction ofdisplacement of the power take-off unit 30 to the drive unit 10. Thecross member 5 of the furniture fitting 1 is inserted into said recess.Clamps 36 shaped in the form of half-shells are provided at both ends ofthe cross-strut 31, which clamps can engage around the cross member 5,The cross-strut 31 comprises mutually engaging latching means like thehalf-shell-shaped clamps 36, so that an engaged cross member 5 isconnected in an interlocking fashion to the cross-strut 31 in thedirection of displacement in the direction of the force applied by thefurniture drive. It can be provided that the clamps are reinforced byfolded cable ties. Respective guides for the cable ties can beincorporated for this purpose in the cross-strut 31. The cross-strut 31provides in combination with the two clamps 36 force introduction pointsB which are spaced by a distance d_(B) and in which the power take-offunit 30 exerts a force on the cross member 5. The furniture drive thusalso acts on the cross member 5 at two force introduction points whichare spaced from each other in a respectively wide fashion.

The power take-off unit 30 moves relative to the drive unit 10 duringoperation of the electromotive furniture drive. This linear movement ofthe power take-off unit 30 in relation to the drive unit 10 leads to acombined linear displacement and rotating movement of the rotating crossmember 6 in relation to the cross member 5 by the swivel levers 15.Bending of these components of the furniture fitting 1 is prevented orreduced by the force introduction points on the rotating cross member 6and the cross member 5 which are spaced from each other by the distancesd_(A) and d_(B).

In contrast to drive units known from the state of the art for suchfurniture fittings, the transmission of force onto the rotating crossmember 6 does not occur substantially centrally, but in an outer regionof the rotating cross member 6. As a result, it therefore need not bereinforced separately. The same applies to the cross member 5, which inthe case of a central introduction of force might optionally notwithstand the pressure or tensile load or the bending load.

As a result of the configuration, the spaced swivel levers 15 and thebraces 16 as connection elements stiffen the rotating cross member 6 andthe cross-strut 31, and the clamps 36 as the connection elements stiffenthe cross members 5, i.e. individual components or individual componentssections of the furniture fitting 1, which otherwise would not withstanda motorisation of the furniture fitting 1. As a result, bending stressesand/or torsional stresses of individual components or componentssections of the functional fitting are reduced without changing thefurniture fitting 1.

The connection elements thus stiffen the cross member 5 in a certainrespect concerning bending and the rotating cross member 6 with respectto bending and torsion. In the illustrated embodiments, the connectionelements are a part of the furniture drive, or the furniture drivecomprises parts of the connection elements. The connection elements canbe arranged to be connectable to the furniture drive in an alternativefashion. Such connections are then arranged as fixed or alternatively asarticulated connections.

Since the furniture drive 10 is only carried via the cross member 5 andthe rotating cross member 6, it is not necessary to provide anyfastening possibilities for the furniture drive 10 in the base frame 2.A furniture fitting 1 which is designed for manual actuation can be usedas a basis for a motor-operated piece of furniture.

In order to reduce bending to a non-critical level and to thuseffectively prevent damage to the cross member 5 and the rotating crossmember 6, the distances d_(A) and d_(B) should be chosen with such amagnitude that they are at least 25% of the width of the cross member 5and the rotating cross member 6. Since such distances lie in the regionof typical chair widths of 40 to 60 cm, the distances d_(A) and d_(B)should be in the range of approximately 10 cm or more. As alreadydescribed above, a shorter travel of the furniture drive is produced byapplying the furniture drive to the cross member 5 and the rotatingcross member 6. With respect thereto, the distances d_(A) and d_(B) aremore than approximately 50% of the travel.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a fixed spindle 33 and arotatably moved spindle nut 22 are provided. It is obviously alsopossible to realise a relative movement between the drive unit 10 andthe power take-off unit 30 in that the spindle is rotatably moved andthe spindle nut is arranged to be fixed. Drives other than via a spindleand a spindle nut are principally also possible for the furniture drivein accordance with the application.

In an alternative embodiment of the furniture drive, a rotating powertake-off member can also be provided instead of a linearly travellingpower take-off unit.

The furniture drive can principally be arranged without a housingenclosing the spindle 33, which saves costs and material and simplifiesassembly. The furniture drive can easily be used in the form as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 for example. In this case, the overall length and thetravel can be varied simply by selecting a respectively long spindle. Asis shown in FIG. 2, a cover 40 can be provided alternatively, whichcover covers the spindle 33 at least upwardly and downwardly andprotects said spindle against threads which are suspended from the seatcover and which could get caught in the spindle. Said cover 40 is anintegral plastic part in the illustrated embodiment, whose various sidesare connected to each other by foil hinges 41. Latching means 42 arearranged at the ends, which cooperate with respective counter-latchingmeans of the cross-strut 31. A pot-shaped receptacle 43 is incorporatedin a head part opposite of the cross-strut 31, which receptacle isfolded over the end nut 34 of the spindle 33. The inner side of the sideof the cover 40 situated beneath the spindle is provided with embossedportions 44, which may accommodate a lubricant that potentially escapesfrom the drive unit 10, thus preventing soiling of the ground beneaththe chair.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of a furniture drive. The samereference numerals illustrate the same or similarly acting elements inthese drawings as in the preceding drawings. FIG. 5 shows the furnituredrive in a perspective schematic view, and FIG. 6 shows a viewanalogously to FIG. 4 in a top view with a partly opened drive unit inorder to provide insight into the inner configuration.

The furniture drive in said second embodiment corresponds to the firstembodiment with respect to its principal configuration, whereinreference to the description thereof is made here. It can also be usedin the furniture fitting 1 as shown in FIG. 1.

The furniture drive again comprises a drive unit 10 and a power take-offunit 30. In contrast to the first example, the drive unit 10 is set upfor fixing to the round cross member 5 and the power take-off unit 30for fixing to the square rotating cross member 6. For this purpose,swivel arms 15 are fixed via swivel joints 14 to a cross-strut 31 of thepower take-off unit 30. The drive unit 10 again comprises a housing 11with extension arms 12, which are provided in this case with atrough-shaped recess of semicircular cross-section, into which the crossmember 5 of the furniture fitting 1 is inserted. Catches 18 shaped inthe form of half-shells are provided at the ends of the extension arms12, which catches are pushed onto the extension arms 12 and are able toengage around the cross members 5. The catches 18 and the extension arms12 are shaped in the respective fashion in order to ensure aninterlocking connection. Reference is hereby made to the details made inconnection with the first embodiment concerning the configuration of thedrive unit 10 in the interior of the housing 11 and especially withrespect to the cooperation of the spindle 33 and the spindle nut 22 andthe motor 20.

FIGS. 7a to 7d show different possibilities in order to realise arotatable connection from one connection element of the furniture driveto the cross member 5, which connection transmits forces transversely tothe longitudinal direction of the cross member 5. The same referencenumerals characterise in this drawing and in the following ones the sameor similarly acting elements as in the preceding drawings.

The solutions illustrated in FIGS. 7a to 7c are characterized in thatthe cross member 5 need not be prepared or modified in any way in orderto fix the furniture drive. Accordingly, these solutions are also wellsuited for retrofitting the electromotive furniture drive.

According to the solutions shown in FIGS. 7a to 7c , the connectionelement such as the cross-strut 31 is arranged in the manner of ahalf-shell at its ends, of which only one respective one is shown here,and is fixed by means of cable ties 38 to the cross member 4. Thereceptacle of the connection element shaped in the form of a half-shellcan be made of plastic with slightly greater material thickness as shownin FIG. 7a , or as shown in FIG. 7c with a lower material thickness madeof metal.

FIG. 7c shows a similar solution with a receptacle shaped as ahalf-shell, which is provided in this drawing with invisible detent lugswhich snap onto a clip 39 which is placed on the open side of thehalf-shell-shaped receptacle.

FIG. 7d shows a cross-strut 31 as a connection element of a furnituredrive 10, which is arranged similarly to a cross member 5. Such a drivecan be used when the furniture fitting 1 comprises a rotating crossmember 6, but no suitable or suitably positioned cross member 5.U-shaped clamps 45 are mounted in this case on the lever mechanisms 3(not shown in FIG. 7d ), into which the cross-strut 31 is inserted as across member 5 and is secured with securing elements such as theillustrated W-clips 46.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a swivel lever 15, which isconnected on its part in a torsion-proof manner to a rotating crossmember 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the swivel lever 15 can be aninjection-moulded plastic part which provides a trough-shaped receptaclefor the rotating cross member 6. After the insertion of the rotatingcross member 6 into the trough-shaped receptacle, the rotating crossmember 6 is secured by screws 47 which extend transversely at the upperend of the trough, and the rotating cross member 5 is additionallytightly clamped in the trough.

Notice must be taken further that the furniture drive and at least theconnection elements are arranged according to the embodiments inaccordance with FIGS. 1 to 6 in an inventive manner for use in afurniture fitting 1, wherein the furniture fitting 1 need not beprepared or modified in any way for this purpose. The furniture drivecan thus be inserted into the piece of furniture shortly beforeterminating the production process of the piece of furniture or upondelivery of the furniture to the consumer. The furniture drive can alsoadvantageously be inserted a short while after delivery into thefurniture fitting 1 when the consumer subsequently decides to implementmotorisation of the piece of furniture. For this purpose, the connectionelements are arranged in accordance with the invention for simpleconnection of the furniture drive to the cross member 5 and the rotatingcross member 6, while simultaneously providing a stabilisation of thesame in that the distance d_(A) and d_(B) is at least 25% of the widthof the chair or the distance of the lever mechanisms 3.

Furthermore, a number of spaced force application points A, B or spacedforce application regions A, B are provided by a number of connectionelements which extend in a direction transversely to the relativemovement between the drive unit 10 and the power take-off unit 30 alongthe cross member 5 or along the rotating cross member 6. The distance ofthe force application points or force application regions A or B isformed by the measure d_(A) and d_(B). The measure d_(A) and d_(B) ismore than 25% of the travel of the furniture drive in one embodiment. Ina further embodiment, the measure d_(A) and d_(B) is more than 25% ofthe distance of the lever mechanisms 3.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electromotive furniture drive, comprising: adrive unit; a power take-off unit movable in relation to the drive unit;and connection elements respectively arranged on the drive unit and onthe power take-off unit for connecting the drive unit and the powertake-off unit to a furniture fitting, wherein the electromotivefurniture drive is configured so that a force for a movement of thefurniture fitting is not applied centrally to components of thefurniture fitting, but it is distributed broadly over the furniturefitting and as a result the furniture fitting does not need to bemodified for use with the furniture drive and a reinforcement of thecomponents of the furniture drive fitting on which the furniture driveacts is not needed, and wherein the connection elements are configuredfor a releasable connection.
 2. The electromotive furniture drive ofclaim 1, wherein each of the connection elements is configured forproviding at least two spaced-apart force application points forconnection with the furniture fitting in a direction transversely to arelative movement between the drive unit and the power take-off unit,said force application points being spaced apart from one another atleast by a distance which is greater than approximately 50% of a travelof the furniture drive.
 3. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 1,constructed for attachment to the furniture fitting of a seatingfurniture.
 4. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 1, wherein thedistance of the force application points is greater than 25% of a widthof the furniture fitting.
 5. The electromotive furniture drive of claim1, wherein the distance of the force application points is greater than10 cm.
 6. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 1, wherein theconnection elements connect the drive unit and the power take-off unitto the furniture fitting in a frictionally engaged or interlockingmanner.
 7. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 1, wherein theconnection elements are configured for connection with a cross memberand/or rotating cross member extending transversely in the furniturefitting between lateral lever mechanisms.
 8. The electromotive furnituredrive of claim 7, wherein the power take-off unit has a cross-strut toform the connection element on the power take-off unit, said cross-strutbeing provided with spaced-apart half-shell-shaped clamps or clipsand/or cable ties for connection with the cross member of the furniturefitting.
 9. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 7, wherein theconnection elements are configured as two spaced-apart swivel levers forconnection with the cross member of the furniture fitting.
 10. Theelectromotive furniture drive of claim 9, wherein the swivel levers areconnectable in a torsion-proof manner to the rotating cross member ofthe furniture fitting.
 11. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 9,wherein the swivel levers are arranged via swivel joints on extensionarms of the drive unit.
 12. The electromotive furniture drive of claim9, wherein the swivel levers are arranged via swivel joints on across-strut of the power take-off unit.
 13. The electromotive furnituredrive of claim 1, wherein the drive unit comprises a motor which actsvia a worm on a rotatably mounted spindle nut.
 14. The electromotivefurniture drive of claim 13, wherein the power take-off unit has ahousing and at least one bearing for rotatably mounting the spindle nutin the housing of the power take-off unit.
 15. The electromotivefurniture drive of claim 14, wherein the power take-off unit comprises atorsion-proof spindle extending through the housing and operativelyconnected to the spindle nut.
 16. The electromotive furniture drive ofclaim 15, further comprising a cover configured to cover the spindle onat least two sides.
 17. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 16,wherein the cover surrounds the spindle at least on three sides in aU-shaped manner and is formed in one piece with integrated film hinges.18. An electromotive furniture drive, comprising: a drive unit; a powertake-off unit movable in relation to the drive unit; and connectionelements respectively arranged on the drive unit and on the powertake-off unit for connecting the drive unit and the power take-off unitto a furniture fitting, wherein each of the connection elements isconfigured for providing at least two spaced-apart force applicationpoints for connection with the furniture fitting in a directiontransversely to a relative movement between the drive unit and the powertake-off, said force application points being spaced from one another,wherein the connection elements are configured for connection with across member and a rotating cross member extending transversely in thefurniture fitting between lateral lever mechanisms, and wherein thefurniture drive acts on the cross member on one hand and on the rotatingcross member on the other hand without being fixed in a stationarymanner with one of its components to or on a base frame of the furniturefitting.
 19. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 18, wherein theforce application points are spaced apart from one another at least by adistance which is greater than approximately 50% of a travel of thefurniture drive.
 20. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 18,constructed for attachment to the furniture fitting of a seatingfurniture.
 21. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 18, whereinthe distance of the force application points is greater than 25% of awidth of the furniture fitting.
 22. The electromotive furniture drive ofclaim 18, wherein the distance of the force application points isgreater than 10 cm.
 23. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 18,wherein the connection elements connect the drive unit and the powertake-off unit to the furniture fitting in a frictionally engaged orinterlocking manner.
 24. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 18,wherein the connection elements are configured for a releasablescrewless connection.
 25. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 18,wherein the connection elements are configured for connection with across member and/or rotating cross member extending transversely in thefurniture fitting between lateral lever mechanisms.
 26. Theelectromotive furniture drive of claim 25, wherein the power take-offunit has a cross-strut to form the connection element on the powertake-off unit, said cross-strut being provided with spaced-aparthalf-shell-shaped clamps or clips and/or cable ties for connection withthe cross member of the furniture fitting.
 27. The electromotivefurniture drive of claim 25, wherein the connection elements areconfigured as two spaced-apart swivel levers for connection with thecross member of the furniture fitting.
 28. The electromotive furnituredrive of claim 27, wherein the swivel levers are connectable in atorsion-proof manner to the rotating cross member of the furniturefitting.
 29. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 27, wherein theswivel levers are arranged via swivel joints on extension arms of thedrive unit.
 30. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 27, whereinthe swivel levers are arranged via swivel joints on a cross-strut of thepower take-off unit.
 31. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 18,wherein the drive unit comprises a motor which acts via a worm on arotatably mounted spindle nut.
 32. The electromotive furniture drive ofclaim 31, wherein the power take-off unit has a housing and at least onebearing for rotatably mounting the spindle nut in the housing of thepower take-off unit.
 33. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 32,wherein the power take-off unit comprises a torsion-proof spindleextending through the housing and operatively connected to the spindlenut.
 34. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 33, furthercomprising a cover configured to cover the spindle on at least twosides.
 35. The electromotive furniture drive of claim 34, wherein thecover surrounds the spindle at least on three sides in a U-shaped mannerand is formed in one piece with integrated film hinges.
 36. A piece ofseating furniture, comprising: a furniture fitting; a furniture partfixed to the furniture fitting; and an electromotive furniture driveoperably connected to the furniture fitting for moving the furniturepart, said electromotive furniture drive including a drive unit, a powertake-off unit movable in relation to the drive unit, and connectionelements respectively arranged on the drive unit and on the powertake-off unit for connecting the drive unit and the power take-off unitto the furniture fitting, each of the connection elements providing atleast two spaced-apart force application points for connection with thefurniture fitting in a direction transversely to a relative movementbetween the drive unit and the power take-off unit, wherein theconnection elements are connected with a cross-member and a rotatingcross member extending transversely in the furniture fitting betweenlateral lever mechanisms of the furniture fitting, and wherein thefurniture drive is only carried via the cross member and the rotatingcross member.
 37. The piece of seating furniture of claim 36, whereinsaid force application points are spaced apart from one another at leastby a distance which is greater than approximately 50% of a travel of thefurniture.
 38. The piece of seating furniture of claim 36, constructedin the form of a seating furniture or a relaxation chair.
 39. Theseating piece of seating furniture of claim 36, wherein the distance ofthe force application points is greater than 25% of the seatingfurniture fitting.
 40. The piece of seating furniture of claim 36,wherein the distance of the force application points is greater than 10cm.
 41. The piece of seating furniture of claim 36, wherein theconnection elements connect the drive unit and the power take-off unitto the furniture fitting in a frictionally engaged or interlockingmanner.
 42. The piece of seating furniture of claim 36, wherein theconnection elements are configured for a releasable connection.
 43. Thepiece of seating furniture of claim 36, wherein the connection elementsare configured for connection with a cross member and/or rotating crossmember extending transversely in the furniture fitting between laterallever mechanisms.
 44. The piece of seating furniture of claim 43,wherein the power take-off unit has a cross-strut to form the connectionelement on the power take-off unit, said cross-strut being provided withspaced-apart half-shell-shaped clamps or clips and/or cable ties forconnection with the cross member of the furniture fitting.
 45. The pieceof seating furniture of claim 43, wherein the connection elements areconfigured as two spaced-apart swivel levers for connection with thecross member of the furniture fitting.
 46. The piece of seatingfurniture of claim 45, wherein the swivel levers are connectable in atorsion-proof manner to the rotating cross member of the furniturefitting.
 47. The piece of seating furniture of claim 45, wherein theswivel levers are arranged via swivel joints on extension arms of thedrive unit.
 48. The piece of seating furniture of claim 45, wherein theswivel levers are arranged via swivel joints on a cross-strut of thepower take-off unit.
 49. The piece of seating furniture of claim 36,wherein the drive unit comprises a motor which acts via a worm on arotatably mounted spindle nut.
 50. The piece of seating furniture ofclaim 49, wherein the power take-off unit has a housing and at least onebearing for rotatably mounting the spindle nut in the housing of thepower take-off unit.
 51. The piece of seating furniture of claim 50,wherein the power take-off unit comprises a torsion-proof spindleextending through the housing and operatively connected to the spindlenut.
 52. The piece of seating furniture of claim 51, wherein theelectromotive furniture drive includes a cover configured to cover thespindle on at least two sides.
 53. The piece of seating furniture ofclaim 51, wherein the cover surrounds the spindle at least on threesides in a U-shaped manner and is formed in one piece with integratedfilm hinges.